Matt PetersenMatthew D. Petersen, son of Mark and Judy Petersen of Woodinville, will graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on May 29 and will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Matt has earned his bachelor of science degree in political science with a minor in philosophy. He has been selected to attend pilot training at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. While there, he will learn to fly fighter jets for the USAF and the NATO alliance with pilots from around the world.

For the past three years Matt has flown hundreds of sorties as an instructional pilot in the Academy soaring program, earning the “top stick” award and serving as commander of the Basic Soaring program. Matt also graduated from the Army Air Assault Program at West Point and served as the Air Force Academy cadre for that program the last two years. He has received numerous Superintendent awards for reaching top levels in academic, physical and military achievement.

Nicole Blue and Zach Burgess from Woodinville High School. have received scholarships from the ACE Mentor Program of Washington. Blue and Burgess have participated in the year-long program hosted by Puget Sound architecture, engineering and construction firms. Students can utilize the funds toward their completion of a degree in fields related to the A/E/C industry.

Nichole CarlsonNichole Carlson granddaughter of 65+ year residents of Woodinville, LeRoy and Emmy Carlson, was offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs. She lives in Duvall with her parents, Calvin and Robin Carlson and her younger sister Ashley Carlson. Nichole is a student at Cascade High School in Everett, where she is a cabinet member of Honor Society, captain of the swim team, a cadet captain in Civil Air Patrol, and cadet commander of Northshore Composite Squadron in Bothell. She was also president of her local 4H club.

She will be swimming with the lady falcons and is planning on majoring in aeronautical engineering and flying F-16s. She is just a few hours away from having her private pilot’s license.

Stephanie Banning of Bothell, a member of the class of 2015 at Washington and Lee University, has earned dean’s list status for winter term 2013.

Woodinville High School senior Chelsea Bateman won for the best essay in the Eastside Republican Club’s annual essay contest and was presented with a $1,000 scholarship at the ERC’s monthly meeting May 7. This year’s essay topic was “What is the best way to stop gun violence without infringing on the rights protected by the Second Amendment?”

Beginning in late July, Crystal Springs Elementary staff member Lori Hardwick of Kenmore will study the extinction of Hawaiian species and what it takes to save thems in the wild on the Big Island of Hawai’i.Daniel Held of Woodinville has received a bachelor of fine arts degree in design from the University of Kansas.Woodinville High School German teacher Michael Antley has been named a 2013 winner of the prestigious Duden Award for his excellence in teaching German. The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) gives the Duden Award annually to a teacher in each state.

Antley was chosen by his colleagues in the Washington chapter of the AATG for his innovative teaching and ability to interest students in continuing their studies in the German language and German-speaking cultures.Theresa Michaels, a Woodinville High School graduate, recently starred in a television show on the TLC Network called “Twisted & Listed,” about the unusual real estate with which she deals.

Left to right: Northshore Superintendent Larry Francois, Eastside Foursquare Church Senior Pastor DJ Vick, Eastside Foursquare Church Associate Pastor/Local Outreach Chris Peppler, Northshore Baptist Church Senior Pastor Jonathan Alexander, and Northshore Baptist Church Pastor of Outreach and Local Mission Tim Burke. Northshore School District recognized Eastside Foursquare and Northshore Baptist churches at the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Metro Community Recognition Awards Luncheon on May 17. The churches were honored at the luncheon for their strong partnerships with the school district.Isaac Sloat, a sophomore history major from Bothell, was named to the spring 2013 dean’s list at Bob Jones University..

On May 2, STAR 101.5 surprised Bear Creek Elementary teacher Tracy Westburg and presented her with the Teacher of the Week award. Westburg, a 5th and 6th grade teacher, was nominated by her student, Brody Milbrodt.

Alexander Thim of Woodinville earned Faculty Honors for fall 2012 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Undergraduate students earning a 4.0 academic average for the semester receive this honor.